Thank you all for being such patient readers. I know I have been lazy in updating the story but you know what it really hurts to see only one or two replies on 1500+ words :(

So guys I'd really hope to see more reviews this time please. You have no idea what it means to me. Even if you wanna criticize you're most welcome. That'll help me grow better as writer.

Loads of love
Sabah.

Norman stared at the cold night sky outside the window blankly. Not a single star shone; it was pitch black. He laid flat on his bed at the institute. He had his well-furnished private room. Life here wasn't much different than that at home. Some of the things were actually better. He had his everyday well-scheduled. 30-minutes of jogging early in the morning with the inmates around the property, followed by 15 minutes of intensive yoga to kick-start the day. Breakfast was served right at eight; the buzzing in the huge dining hall was accelerating. The whole day, everyday was designed with various activities; swimming, golfing, chess matches, badminton, table tennis and many more. Well of course the physician paid a visit every second day to check on their patients. Each physician was appointed to check on at least five inmates. And then, there was the regular evening session with the therapist. Everything was great, better than Norman had actually hoped but still he felt trapped. He missed his mother, her home-cooked meals, her smile, her warmth, even her wailing when he wasn't around... "NOOOOORRRRMMMAAAANNNN! Get back in the house!" a smile crept his face thinking about her.

"I am right here honey..."
Norman sprang off to a sitting position hearing Norma's voice. He found her sitting right across to him at the foot of the bed, wearing his favorite sleek blue dress paired with a baby-blue cardigan.

"Mother! What are you doing here?" an astonished Norman asked.

"I missed you a lot honey.. I wanted to see you so badly." she replied moving closer to him.

"but how did they allow you so late?"

"I'd do anything to see you Norman, you know that right? There's a cord between our hearts.. remember?"

"then why'd you send me here? Why'd you push me away from you?"

"I didn't honey.. I didn't.. Some bad people made me do it and now they are torturing me.. making me do stuffs that I don't want to.. I need you Norman.. I need you to come and save me."

Norman stared at heraimlessly for a couple of seconds then he extended his arms wrapping around her in a tight hug.

"I'll not let anyone hurt you mother.. I promise. I'll always protect you.." he repeated in a husky tone "I'll always protect you."

His crystal blue orbs fluxed away in a shade of dangerous black as he sat on the bed hugging and muttering to himself.

It was 2 weeks since Norman had been admitted to Pineview.. the expenses per night was unthinkable but both Dylan and Alex chipped in. Norma was hesitant at the beginning to take any favor from any one of them. nevertheless she knew how important this was for Norman.

With Norman gone and Dylan spending more and more time with Emma preparing the poor thing for the lung transplant, Norma felt desolated. Though Alex visited her almost every day but it was not enough. She had to find a permanent solution to her loneliness.

Norma scanned the lined up packs of frozen food for a while then grabbed a carton of Lasagna and placed it in her basket. She didn't feel like cooking anything at all. As she made her way to the billing counter she heard a confident yet unfamiliar voice call out to her.

"Norma Bates..! am I right or am I right?" a fine-figured whitish brunette, dressed in a purple mid-length semblance, grey over-coat which appeared to be longer than the dress and a matching pair of stilettos; definitely not an attire for grocery shopping.

Norma squinted her eyes trying to recognize her.. "I don't think I know you.. do I?" she asked politely.

The woman extended her hand and replied "I am Dena; Dena Richler"

Norma shook hands with her hesitantly.

"you don't know me" she continued with a smile.. "not yet at least.. but I know all about you.. I used to live here.. in White Pine.. many years back.. my sister still lives here.. I come to visit her once in a year." She concluded.

"oh.. is it? where does she live? Cause I have been living here for almost four years.. how come I never saw you before?" she inquired.

"I've actually come here after four years.. work, children.. you know.. it's hard to manage all that.. but you.. Norma Bates.. you are like a mini celeb of White Pine."

"what are you talking about..?" Norma said meekly, turning away from her, dropping her purchase at the billing counter.

"White Pine has gone through a lot ever since you moved here.. and almost all of that was somehow or the other related to you.. small town Norma..!" she said smirking, taking a spot beside her.

"twenty-four, forty" the shop clerk summed up.

Norma handed her the change and picked up her bags of groceries without another word. Something was fishy about this woman. Ever since she had moved here many people had taken sudden interest in her life; be it Shelby, Kristen, Nick Ford.. and none of that ended well. She wasn't falling for this again. Norma thought to herself walking out the door. The lady followed her along.

"aren't you getting anything for yourself?" Norma asked curiously seeing her walking out empty handed.

"ah no.. I was just looking around.. a lot has changed here in four years."

"yeah it has.." she agreed. "well.. it was nice to meet you Dena.. hope you have a good stay here.."

"that's it? I thought I'd take you for a drink.. chat a little.. I really want to get to know you better."

"maybe some other day.. I'm in a little hurry.. have a good day.." Norma quickly got inside the car. She'd had enough drama in these 4 years. This encounter reminded her how she'd met Kristen and all the trouble with George. She didn't need that all over again. Everything had fallen apart one by one. She'd moved here to make a better life for her and Norman. But fate had some weird plans set out of her. Norma sighed..!

Later that evening, Norma curled up on the couch with a glass of wine, flipping the channels of the TV. The archaic clock on the west wall read 9:40.
"this is bullshit!" she muttered distastefully.. "I need to get out!" she dropped the untouched wine glass on the side table... grabbed her coat and keys heading out of the house. It was a damp foggy night. The whooping wind pierced through her porcelain skin.

She drove faster than she actually wanted and took turn into a familiar driveway. Though she hadn't preplanned on going there but was glad where her instinct had brought her. His SUV stood obediently at its rightful place. She pulled in her vintage vehicle right beside it.

Norma felt fangs of apprehension as she climbed up those wooden steps. Suddenly she realized she had no clue why she was here this late at night. What would he think of her..? Norma Louise Bates never really thinks before acting and despite her best efforts she didn't bear a good reputation in this town anyway. But things were different with Alex lately. She wanted him to see her in a certain way.
Inhaling a mouthful of air she tapped on the door lightly. He opened the door in a couple of seconds in the most unimaginable attire. Norma eyed him from head to toe. The big daddy of White Pine Bay was wearing an apron over his trademark black shirt that showed off his well-structured biceps, holding a wooden spatula in his right hand.

"hey.." he greeted smiling.. "what are you doing here this late?"

"the bigger question is.. what are you doing this late dressed wearing an apron..?" she asked entering the house.

"oh I came back home late.. had no time to eat.. so thought of making myself a little dinner.." he replied closing the door behind him..
"so.. what brings you here?" honestly he didn't care. He was elated to see her; reason or no reason. She enlightened his days whenever around.

"I felt like going dancing.." she retorted chuckling.

"what?" taken aback by her response.. "so you thought of coming here? How clever..!" but mocking her just the next instance.

"so what are you cooking?"

"ah nothing fancy just some pancakes.."

"seriously? Pancakes? For dinner?"

"well I can't cook as well as you do.." he shied away.

She followed him to the kitchen.. "let me see what have you got here.." she scanned the kitchen moving him aside.

"here let me make you some spaghetti.." she urged.

"no ways Norma.. you are a guest at my place.. how can you cook for me?"

"oh Alex.. enough of the formalities.. come on give me that apron" she wasn't giving up.

Alex was deeply touched by her genuine efforts. He never felt lonely with her around. She was like a pinch of salt in his sour life.

"Here!" Norma placed a plate full of spaghetti on the kitchen counter.

"mmmhhh... it smells delicious but wait, where's yours?"

"I've already had my dinner" she replied smiling.. "you enjoy, I'll just grab a drink for both of us.." she took two goblets from the cupboard and poured wine in them.

Alex took a morsel which tasted better than it smelled. He thought to himself why'd I ever hate this woman? Probably not hate... she was just a mystery to him and Alex being the control freak he is wanted to figure her out. He couldn't believe how dangerously close she was getting. He actually allowed her to use his kitchen, which has not been used by a woman for over a decade. And here she was making him exquisite dinner; to his amazement he didn't feel intimidated by that. Honestly he couldn't remember when the last time he had eaten so well was. Probably at the dinner in Bates house. Norma was a great cook no doubt about that but the way she was getting involved in his daily life was a danger alert.

Norma took pride watching him so engrossed in his food. She loved to cook but cooking for Alex gave her a different level of satisfaction.

"so... how was work" she finally broke the silence between them "the DEA still behind your ass?"

"It's just moving at its own pace.." he sighed. "moreover I don't think I'll remain the Sheriff any longer."

"Alex!" it caused a hell lot of pain watching him depressed like this. Norma knew what his work meant to him.. "why are you thinking this way? You're the best thing that happened to this crappy town.. the people love you.. they're gonna re-elect you... I am certain of that" she stated in utmost confidence.

"I donno Norma.. and honestly I don't even care anymore.."

"oh yes you do.. just stop being so negative about everything..!"

Silence persisted between them for a couple of seconds.. "say.. did they find any evidence to the Bradley's case?" Norma asked.

"no.. not yet.. her disappearing act worked in favor of Norman I'd say." He stated.

"okay.." Norma didn't want to exaggerate the conversation over Bradley. She didn't want to give him the impression that she was here to get some favor out of him, like the million times in the past.

Alex finished the last piece of food on his plate and burped harmoniously.

"excuse me!" he said sheepishly "it was too tasty not to burp you know.. not my fault.."

They both looked at each other like a dope then cracked into chortled laughter.

"I haven't laughed like this in years.." Alex mentioned in between his uncontrollable laugh.

"you look good when you smile Mr. stone face.." Norma chirped in gentling down a bit. "come on.. show me what records you have.."

"what?" he was baffled by the sudden change of topic.

"music..! records..!" she stressed on her words for him to take her seriously.. "when I said I felt like going dancing.. I meant it, so come on now" she held him by his chiseled arms dragging him out of the kitchen into the hall.

TO BE CONTINUED...

FYI: people who are assuming that the character "DENA" is Alex's ex-girlfriend based on the recent sneak peek we got on season.4. then let me clarify that it is not. The character is based totally on my imagination whose context will be revealed in the future chapters.

And P.S: let me know if you want to see (read) Normero dancing! ;)